1. As I said, Stidham is the man. The Patriots completely passed on the position in the draft, so it appears that Jarrett Stidham has the blessing to go forth as Tom Brady's successor. Do not expect a high-salaried free agent to appear at their doorstep, because their coffers are so bare, at least two painful salary dumps must be made to let the Patriots pay their draft class.
2. So long, Joe Thuney. Solid player with a huge salary cap number, so the Patriots took two guards and a center on the third day, and the other shoe will probably drop in a few weeks. Center Dustin Woodard, who didn't even get an NFL.com profile, may be an insurance policy to hedge against the possibility that David Andrews has blood-clot trouble again at some point.
3. Linebackers welcome. With Cassh Maluia's selection, that makes three replacements for the free-agency losses of Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts. I wouldn't be surprised to see several more invited to the preseason camps, assuming the Patriots can actually have camps.
4. It's a bad look. Kicker Justin Rohrwasser admitted in a conference call that he has a tattoo of the symbol for the "Three Percenters," an ultra-right-wing splinter group. He claims he got it as a teenager because he thought it was a military-support organization. He says he will cover it; perhaps he should consider removing it. He'll be paid enough to afford it.
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| Who's a good boy? Nike is. |
OK, I spent a long time over the past two decades miffed at Belichick for a number of reasons. But he admitted in a video clip that was shown online the last couple of days that he loves dogs. "All dogs," he said. So … I guess he can't be all bad, then. Who says this draft wasn't a game-changer?
OK, let's move on to the thumbnails for the third-day picks:
No. 159: Placekicker Justin Rohrwasser, Marshall. 6-3, 230. Played two seasons at the University of Rhode Island before transferring to Marshall for his junior year. Career, hit 85.7 percent of his field goal attempts with a long of 53. From the Marshall web site: "Rated a two-star prospect by 247sports.com ... At URI, he connected on 15 of 20 field goal attempts and 39 of 40 extra-point attempts ... Set a Rhode Island record for points in a game by a kicker with 14 at Elon (three field goals, five extra points), which led to Colonial Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Week honors. … Played in all 13 games … Handled field goals, extra points and kickoffs during his first season with the Herd … Made 15 of 21 field goal attempts, with a long of 40 … Made 44 of 46 extra point attempts … 71 kickoffs averaged 61.0 yards, including 30 touchbacks … Made his first MU field goal against Eastern Kentucky … 2-for-2 on field goals against N.C. State … A pair of field goals in a win at WKU … Nailed a 33-yard field goal against Middle Tennessee … Opened the scoring in a win against FAU with a 40-yard field goal, his season long … 24-yard field goal at Southern Miss … Perfect 3-for-3 on field goals in a win against Charlotte … Three field goals vs. UTSA … Accounted for 8 points in Marshall’s Gasparilla Bowl victory against USF on Dec. 20, including 1-for-1 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points … Recovered two fumbles on the season, becoming one of two FBS players since 2000 to have at least two fumble recoveries in a season without recording a tackle."
No. 182: Offensive guard Michael Onwenu, Michigan. 6-3, 334. Obtained in trade with Indianapolis in exchange for picks 212 and 213. Huge interior lineman that could be the excuse to dump Joe Thuney's salary. From NFL.com: "The Wolverines nabbed Onwenu (pronounced on-WHEN-you) from Detroit's Cass Tech High School as a top-10 offensive line prospect nationally. He played on the offensive and defensive lines in nine games as a freshman before settling in with nine starts on the offensive line in 2017 (eight at right guard, one at left guard). Big Ten coaches thought enough of the road grader's work in 13 starts at right guard to name him third-team all-conference in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Powerful and wide, Onwenu's natural play strength is somewhat offset by his below-average athletic ability. With better hand placement and attention to footwork, he can take a step forward as a drive blocker with the ability to move bodies around, but he'll be a scheme-specific prospect who could struggle against quick, upfield players and sub-package rushers. He has backup guard ability and potential as a Day 3 pick.
(Past picks: The Patriots have never before selected a player at No. 182.)
No. 195: Offensive guard Justin Herron, Wake Forest. 6-4, 308, 5.26 in the 40. Again, it looks like the Patriots are preparing for a salary dump. From NFL.com: "Herron was a stalwart on the Demon Deacons' offensive line for three seasons, but a torn left ACL suffered in the 2018 opener ended his campaign. He returned as a starter and team captain in 2019, earning a Senior Bowl invite. He started all 12 games at right tackle as a redshirt freshman and then lined up as the team's left tackle in 12 of 13 games during the 2016 season. The former Bullis (Md.) High School three-sport star (and trumpet player in the jazz band) became an All-ACC player as a junior, earning third-team honors. Herron is flexible and athletic with the foot quickness to compete in a camp as a zone-blocking guard. However, he's often in a state of flux and having to fight for survival due to suspect hand usage and body control. He may not have enough play strength to withstand NFL defensive tackles in one-on-one situations, but he does have intriguing athletic traits and may be looked at as a developmental prospect."
No. 204: Linebacker Cassh Maluia, Wyoming. 6-0, 248. From Curt Gowdy's alma mater, Maluia is the third linebacker picked in this draft by the Patriots, although special teams may be his salvation. From NFL.com: "Cassh Maluia (pronounced CASH mall-uh-WEE-uh) was voted honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference in 2019. The Compton, Calif., native (who played at Paramount High School) played in 13 games as a true freshman, starting twice, playing primarily as a reserve and on special teams (16 tackles). Malia posted 74 tackles, 3.5 for loss, one sack, an interception and three fumble recoveries in 13 starts as a sophomore. He started 10 of 11 games played games in 2018 (47 tackles, six for loss, one interception, three pass breakups) and served a one-game suspension after being arrested on charges of driving under the influence, underage alcohol consumption and driving without a driver's license in June of that year. He started all 13 contests as a senior (61 tackles, seven for loss, two interceptions). The quick twitch and lateral quickness can be intriguing when they pop on tape, but his inability to leverage gaps, take on blockers and play with consistent recognition of play development is problematic. Maluia has good speed, agility and short-area movement skills, but he will be a long shot to earn a roster spot unless he can become a special teams star."
No. 230: Center Dustin Woodard, Memphis. 6-2, 291. Looks like the Patriots were seeking some insurance in case David Andrews (cleared to return following blood clots in his lungs last year) struggles to come back. From Rotoworld: "Woodard was named All-AAC first team in 2018 and also awarded a spot on 247 Sports' 2016 True Freshman All-American Team. He has shown impressive versatility by playing both guard positions up until this year when he switched center and started all 14 games there in 2019. Woodard has started 52 of his 54 games played at Memphis as an anchor for Memphis offenses that produced three of the top-four offensive seasons in the school's history. Woodard earned as a 78.4 overall grade from PFF College and is likely a Day 3 prospect for NFL Draft purposes."
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